Spring woodland wildflower bonanza

 

Go down to the woods today! The Spring woodland flowers are in full bloom. In their race to flower and be pollinated before the overshadowing trees come into full leaf, intercepting the sunlight before it reaches the woodland floor, many different varieties of wildflower richly carpet the woodland floor, thrusting up their colourful flowers a quickly as possible. A tapestry of whites, blues and yellows patterns the bright green leaves, while sweet scents drift through the still woodland air. 

   

Throughout this dazzling variety, but really only visible to those or take time to observe quietly and carefully, a great number of insects move through the plants’ foliage from flower to flower. Early bees bumble around, both pollinating and searching for small holes for their nests. Spring butterflies of several kinds flap silently, switching between their search for nectar, and basking in the sunlit glades. A host of other smaller and more discreet flies, wasps and midges, tempted by the rich sweet nectar, also transfer pollen around the woodland, thus fulfilling the plants’ need to eventually produce seed for the next generation.



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